Air line lubricator



May 19, 1959 w. M. DILLON 2,887,181

AIR LINE 'LUBRICATOR Filed Sept. 18, 1956 C5 Sheets-Sheet 1 81:8!!! SAQ wr O4 foraggi May 19, 1959 w. M. DILLQN 2,887,181

- AIR LINE LUBRICATOR l Filed Sept. 18. 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y May 19, 1959 w. M. DILLoN M AIR LINE LUBRICATOR Filed sept. 18. l1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 `z,ss1,`1s1 l AIR LlNE LUBRIcAroR Wendell M. Dillon, North Andover, Mass., 'assigner to Watts Regulator Company, Lawrence, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application September 18, 1956, Serial No. 610,606

Claims. (Cl. 184-55) i This invention' relatesto a lubricator for dispensing lubricant into a owing stream of gas, and `more particularly is directed to a lubricator for a compressed air line.

Use of lubricators of the general type herein described with compressed gas, or air, lines have been known for many years. However, many problems are attendant with use of prior lubricators, which problems are to be` resolved by the invention hereindisclosed.

Air line lubricatorshave been used 'in systems which utilize compressed air as the motive power for certain types off power tools. In such installations the owing air` Patented May 19,f 1959 large drops of lubricant and scavenging of the recovered lubricant back to the lubricant reservoir therefor; and

also serves as a vehicle for transporting lubricant to the` e parts of the tools which are to be lubricated.

In installations which utilize air line lubricators, it is desirable to dispense the lubricant into the owing air in as fine a state as possible. e Preferably it is desired to produce a uniformly distributed fog, or aerosol, consisting of a dispersion of uniform sized, very tine particles of lubricant in the flowing air. e

It is alsoa desirable end that an air line lubricator be operative to deliver lubricant toy flowing gas, or air, over a wide range of gas flow rates. Frequently, air line lubricatorsutilize pressure diterentials attained by the flowing gas as a force producing means which operateszto feed the lubricant from a lubricant reservoir into the streamof flowing gas. However, such prior airline lubricators -are decient in that at low rates of airflow an insufcient amount of lubricant is dispensed to the owing streams` t y t 'frltis thus an important problem to provide an air line lubricatorl which is operativeto supply lubricant to the flowing stream of gas over a wide range of rates of gas ow and particularly to obtain dispersingiof lubricant promptly with initiation of ow of the air through the lubricator, since this is a particularly desirable time when lubricant isdesired but when ow rates are usually low. l

' The obtaining of attrue aerosol, or foglike dispersion, of lubricant in a stream of owing air` hasbeen a very ditcult\pr`oblem-.ly Prior air line lubricators invariably dispense lubricanttparticles of a great range of sizes. Another problem incident to` such production of lubricant particles ofvarying sizes" is the fact .that large dropsfof lubricant tend to` get larger by capturing adjacent ine` 'i particles, and the largeldrops often settle out1of the owing gas somewhere along the gas line before reaching the desired destination. Such operation is uneconomicalyas aisubstantial portioniofthe dispensed lubricant failsto reach its ultirnateobjective. l

t 'From the foregoing,1it will be appreciated that some off `the requirements of a good air line lubricator are: (l) to produce a dispersion of lubricant in a tine uniform fog, or approaching a true aerosol condition; (2) obtainlarge size particles ot lubricant; (3) obtaining good atom-` izationof the lubricant; (4) providing a supply olf lubrif cant to the tlowing gas promptly upon theinitiating of the flow of gas; (5) obtaining substantial lubricant tlow to (7) simplicity and economy of construction and design, and eiciency and reliability of operatiom Thus, one object of this invention is to provide'a novel lubricator which substantially obviates the aforenoted problems and which also substantially meets the afore noted requirementsiof a lubricator.

Another object of this invention is to provide at novel lubricator which is provided with means'. for interc'epting the large size particles of lubricant that are carried by` the flowing gas, and so as to deliver a fog or cloud, or aerosol, of lubricant particles of substantially uniformly tine size. l 1

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel lubricator wherein largesize particles of lubricant are separated out of the stream of ilowing gas andare scav` enged back to the reservoir for lubricant, thus reducingI tion.l i

Still another object of this invention is to provide a losses and increasing the economy and eiiciency of operaf novellubricator which utilizes pressure differentials obtained by the flowing gas to eifect feeding of lubricant from a lubricant reservoir to the flowing gas, and which is provided with means for initiating feeding of lubricant to the ilowing gas at very low gas flow rates, thereby increasing the operational ow rate range of the lubricator;

Still a further object of this invention is `to provide a novel lubricator that is characterized by its simplicity and economy of construction and design, and by itseiciency.

and reliability of operation. Y t t i u The above and other features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part ofthis specification. For a better understanding of this invention,

e however, its advantages and specic objects attained by its use, reference is had to the accompanying drawing and` descriptive matter in which is shown and described an:

illustrative embodiment of the invention. l

l Figure 1 is an elevational view of an air line lubricatorV constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same; Figure 3 is a cross-section view taken substantiallyon line 3-3 of Figure 1; t t

Figure 4 is a cross-section view taken snbstantiallyion line 4--4 of Figure 2, and shows more clearly certain details of the conduit means for the lubricator, which conduit means extends from the lubricant reservoir to the air ow passageway;

Figure 5 is greatly enlarged View of a fragment' of Figure 3, and shows illustratively some of the features of operation of the novel lubricator;

Figure 6 is a cross-section View, similar to Figure 3,

showing a modified and improved form. of lubricator,v

said improved form containing additional improvement features over the lubricator disclosed in Figures 1 to 5; Figure 7 is a greatly enlarged view of a fragment of Figure 6 showing certain of the structural and opera-` tional features of the improved lubricator of Figure 6;` Figure 8 is a fragmentary cross-section view of another e modified form of lubricator.

the gas' even at low ratesof gas flow; I(6) recovery of the Referring now to the drawings there is shown in Figures 1-5 a lubricator generally indicated at 10, `which includes a lubricant reservoir 12 and a head 14 forsaid reservoir. The head 14 is provided with a downwardly ing substantial uniformity of particle size by eliminating I dependmg annular shoulder 16 and an annular seat 18 located inwardly thereof. There is provided yan annular,

transparent, casing wall Z0 for the reservoir, and a bot@ tom closure member 22 for the lubricant reservoir-H A t 3 gasket 26 is provided between the lower edge of casing wall 20 and the bottom closure member 22.

The head 14 is also provided with a central tapped bossfv 28. The 'entire structure is maintained assembled by-meansof"an, elongated bolt v30 which threads into tapped boss 28 and-which carries, threaded to its lower end, a closure capV-32which overlies a portion of bottom'` closurermember 22. An appropriate sealing gasket 24 is provided betweenrclosure cap 32 and closure mem` intothe;reservoir,- is-closedv by means of a threadedy closure Icap 58. A p

The head 14 is also provided with a tapped inletv conv` nectiona40,` towhich a gasinlet pipe 42, is connected, and

let` pipe 46nis. connected. Between inlet pipe 42and outletpipe 46, the vhead is formed to define a venturi flowy passageway, generally indicated at 48, throughy which the gas is caused to pass. As in any venturi flow passageway,thereris a throat section 50. Withreference tot-throat.50, there is an upstream portion of the venturi owpassageway and adownstream portion of the venturi iiow'passageway. In particular, the venturi flow passageway148inc1udes an upstream uniform flow portion 52, an upstreamzconverging portiony 54, a downstream diverging portion-,56 and a downstream uniform flow portion 58.

Therezis further provided an upwardly extendingpgaspassageway ,means60 which communicates to the venturi owfvpassageway, at the downstream uniform ow portion 58 thereof, and which passageway'acts in part as a passagewayy throughfwhich scavenged lubricant is returnedto'the lubricant reservoir. The passageway 60 is formed: inpart, at itslowerend, by a hollow threaded capirnember 62 that is threaded into the head 14. Apertures v64 are provided adjacent the lower end of cap 62 toprovideforpassageway therethrough of gas, and of lubrican'tuthat has been scavenged by means hereinafter described. The apertures 64 in cap 62'are arranged aboveftheA maximumheight of the lubricant L contained in the reservoir.:` Saidy apertures 64 thus open to a gas` space 65 that is 'located' betweenlthe Vupper l:level of lubricant'L'randzthe head:` 14 .off the lubricator. While/the passageway 60 is herein termed a gas-passageway itiwill bet'understood'ithatzithereis. little,xif any,v volumetric iiow ofifgastherethrough.. Thepassageway 60V servesl to com muilicate thegaszgpressure; from the vventuri flow passage? Way'fi48f'to'lthe:'gas;;space 65 inthe `lubricant reservoir, or sump, and also serves as part of thezscavengingpassageway for the scavenged lubricant.

There isi located in the downstream vuniform portion.V

58, of venturi flow passageway 48, an annularr abutment means'66 which serves as a restriction downstream of throat i50, or asa downstream constriction of the venturi owpassageway 48. The annular abutment means,66 surroundsv a centralv aperture 68 through which ow of lubricantecarrying gas is maintained. The annular abutmentzrmeans. 66A is shown as being ring shaped, and may be properly located. within. venturi flow passageway 48` any;` appropriate-manner, for example as byv press fitting or the like.

Thenhead 14 isr also formed to define an elongated sloping drain passageway 70. The upper end of said drainfpassageway 70 communicates with the venturi flow passageway 48 at a point downstream of the annular abutment means 66..r The lower end of the drain passage-y wayl 70 communicates with the gas-passageway 60 which is'locatedg preferably, upstream of the annular Aabutmenty means 66;vl Thus; there is'provided a drain means which includes drain passageway 70v and gas-passageway 60 for scavenging lintercepted lubricant back to therlubricant. reservoir-f l 1 The means for feeding reservoir into the venturi flow passageway includes a dip tube 72 that is threaded to,` the head 14 and carried thereby, which dip tube 72 extends downwardly into the supply of lubricant L in the lubricant reservoir to a point adjacent Lthe lower boundary of the reservoir. Preferably, a fine mesh filter cap 74 isprovided at the lower end of the dip tube 72 to filter out any impurities that may be carried in the lubricant L. The upper end of dip tube 72 communicates with an upright lubricant conduit 76 which is defined in the head 14'. Disposed-'in the lubricant conduit means, which includes the dip tube 72 andthelubricant conduit 76, is a ball type yvalve member 78 which is responsive to gravity and which acts as a check valveto prevent drainage of lubricant in conduit 76 back to the reservoir when the gas ow through the Venturi passageway 48 has been cut off. The maintainingof'lubricant inpassageway 76 insures that lubricant' will bet-readily available when the lubricator initiates;`

operation;y

Theupper end yof` lubricant passageway 76 opens intoA the .centralboreof an annular boss 80 which iscarried4 by'head v14 centrally thereof and is spaced above the portion-of head 14 wherein is located the throat 50 of thel venturi ow passageway;r 48. The boss 80 is threaded tok receive an annular cap 82. A gasket 83 providesa sealingfclosure-between cap 82 and boss 80. The annular,l cap :82 -carries thereinv avalve member 84 that, has, aX slottedy head adapted` to receive a screw driver, or the like, for effectingvalve adjustments. Anl 0-ring 86 pro The lower terminal end of tubular shankrcarries al downwardly4 'depending'central discharge tube V94 which alsozserves toA define a valve seat'96for cooperation with.,

the taperedy needle valvef88.-

Located in the space between boss 80 and head 14 isa.

transparent tubularmember 98 through which dispensing of lubricant from the lower end of discharge tube'94 may` bey viewed. An appropriate lsealing gasket 100v is providedrbetween the upper edge'of tubular member 98and, shankf90aof'capV 82, andlan appropriate sealing gasket; 101 is provided between the lower edge of tubular memf; berl98 andhead I14. The head 14, is provided with a bore 102 therein adapted to receive` lubricant from; thea: dis-5- chargey tubez9'4. The borev 102is fitted `withranA upright'l lubricant dispensing Itube :104 `which extends downwardly. into the'throat 50 of the venturiow passageway'48,v ande extendssubstantially tothefcenter ofthe throat50. The lubricantA dispensing tube 104 is vprovided withv af--b'evel' =105at the lower terminal endf thereof, and thebeveled terminaledgeof` tuber104 is arranged to faccina-down:- stream direction .relative to the direction. of flow of gas through: the venturi flow passageway 48.

Theannular space betweeny tubular shank 90of cap 82, and: bos's 80 `defines a rst lubricant receivingA chambenV generally yindicated at 106. The space between the 1ubri canti-"discharge tube 94 andthe lubricant dispensingtubeg 104 defines a second lubricant receiving chamber, 'generali lyfin'dicated at-108z` Infthe operation-of thedevice (thus far described, the

50 causes ilow of lubricant through the lubricant conduit means therefor. The lubricant conduit `means includes dip tube 72, lubricant conduit 76, first lubricant receiving chamber 106, lubricant discharge tube 94, second lubricant receiving chamber 108, and lubricant dispensing tube 104.

The fact that the lubricant lis dispensed into the venturi ow passageway at the point of greatest gas velocity contributes to a very ne atomization of the dispensed lubricant by the flowing gas. Thus is further enhanced by the dispensing of lubricant at a point substantially centrally of the throat 50 of the venturi. Generally, when the device is properly` adjusted, the dispensed lubricant is substantially fully and completely atomized and there is veny little need for scavenging of excess lubricant. However, there may be instances of improper feeding, or instances of inefficient atomization of the dispensed lubricant, when atomization of the dispensed lubricant is not completely uniform or as tine as desired, and there may be some large lubricant particles which pass into the stream of gas. Such large particles of lubricant tend to move outwardly toward the outer boundaries of the ow passageway. Thus the abutment means 66, located downstream of venturi throat 50, becomes operative to intercept and separate, from the flowing gas, the greater portion of large size particles of lubricant. On the other hand, the fine particles of lubricant, being more easily air borne, pass withthe ilowing gas around the obstruction caused by the abutment means 66, and passes with the ow of air through the central aperture 68 and then to the outlet pipe 46.`

Figure illustrates the manner in which the abutment means 66 operates to intercept and separate lubricant from the ow of gas. It will be seen that a portion of the intercepted lubricant, indicated at 110, may be scavenged upstream of the abutment means 66, while another portion of the intercepted lubricant, indicated at 112, may be scavenged downstream of the abutment means 66. The drain passageway 70 serves to drain the scavenged lubricant 112 back through gas-passageway 60 into the lubricant reservoir. i

In the improved form of the device shown in Figures 6 and 7 there is shown a lubricator, generally indicated at 120, and including a head 122 and a reservoir 124. The upper end of reservoir 124 is anged at 125. A flanged collar 126 is threaded to an annular portion of head 122 and is adapted to engage the reservoir 124 by the flange 125 thereof for the purpose of securing the reservoir to the head. An appropriate sealing member 128 is provided between head 122 and reservoir 124.

Interposed between the head 122 and the lubricant L in the reservoir, there is provided a bafe plate 130 which is spaced above the maximum level that the lubricant L attains in the-reservoir. There is thus formed between the baffle plate 130` and the upper level of lubricant L a gas-space 132. The bathe plate 130 cooperates with other.

portions of the reservoir and with the head 122 to electively separate the gas-space 132, below the baille 130, from the space above the baille 130.

`The elements of the lubricator of Figures 6 and 7 which are similar to elements of the lubricator shown in Figures 1 to 5, carry the same reference numeral with the addition of a prime mark. The features of improvement in the lubricator of Figures 6 and 7 over the lubricator` of Figures 1-5 will be readily apparent upon comparison of said figures.

Thus, in Figures 6 and 7, the head 122 is provided with a venturi ow passageway 48 which has a throat 50. However, the throat 50 of the venturi ow passageway is of unusually small size, and is of a selected size that is smaller than the size required to pass the maximum gas carrying capacity of the inlet` and outlet portions of the venturi ilow passageway 48. In other words, the throat 50"will` choke, or provide sucient resistance to gas iiw therethrough, so as to limit the amount of gas passed therethrough to an amount less than the maximum ow which could be carried by the inlet and outlet pipes 42K and 46'. ,i

The dip tube 72', which serves as a portion of the conduit for the lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the means for dispensing the lubricant into the flowing gas, v

is located to pass upwardly through and above the bathe plate 130, and then passes centrally through an upright passageway 134 which is formed in the head member. 122. The passageway 134 communicates with the luniform ow portion 52 of the venturi ow passageway 42.

The head 122 is shaped to deiine and provide a valve seat 136 at the lower end of passageway 134. There is provided an annular valve member 138, surrounding dip tube 72 and guided thereby, adapted `to be seated' on valve seat 136 so as to seal off the annular passageway I defined between dip tube 72' and the spaced wall of'` passageway 134. A coil spring 140, surrounding dip l tube 72', is positioned between valve member 138 and bafe plate 130, `and is operative to normally bias valve.- 138 to a position against valve seat 136 so as to -normali ly close said annular passageway.

The head 122 is also shaped to define a downwardly extended boss 142 which denes in part a gas-passageway@ The lower end of boss 142 is threaded to receive s 60. a threaded tubular stud 144 of a headed member 146.

`The headed member 146 is apertured at 148to communicate gas-passageway 60to the gas space 132. The baille plate .is clamped in position between the lower terminal end of boss 142 and the head of headed member 146, in the manner shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Within the venturi ow passageway 48 is positioned an annular abutment means 66' having a central aperture 68' delned therein. The abutment means` 66 also denes an annular central flange means 150 which extends generally upstream of the abutment means 66', and which operates to assist in4 directing the scavenged ow of intercepted lubricant in the manner as best shown in Figure 7, so that the scavenged lubricant will pass through gas-passageway 60 and` then through apertures 148 back to the supply of lubricant within the lubricant reservoir.

The head 122, and portions thereof, are shaped,`

formed, and spaced relative to the baille plate 130 so as to define a by-pass passageway between the inlet and outlet connections of the lubricator, and around the throat 50 of the venturi flow passageway 48. This bypass passageway includes: (l) the passageway 134 which i communicates with the upstream uniform flow portion 52 of venturi passageway 48; (2) the gas space above the baflie plate 130, generally indicated at 152; (3) 'an `upright passageway 154 which communicates gas space 152 with the downstream uniform ow portion `58" of the venturi ilow passageway 48,`at a point downstream of the annular abutment means 66.

The by-pass passageway means operates to supply ad` ditional gas to the outlet connection 46 when the demand for gas at said outlet connection exceeds a prede? termined amount, which predetermined amount is related to the amount of gas that may be passed through the constricted throat 50'.

The valve member 138 is normally closed by the bias of spring so that the initial flow of gas is throughL the throat 50 of `venturi flow passageway 48. The bias of spring 140 is so selected that, upon a preselected pressure difference being obtained in response to demand for gas, said valve 138 opens to allow iiow of additional gas through the by-pass passageway means from the inlet;

connection to the outlet connection. The by-passed gas,`

upon re-entering the venturi ilow passageway 48 fromv passageway 154mixes with `the lubricant carrying gas that has passed through throat50, so that the resultant! gas entering outletY pipe,L 46. t is a. lubricant bearing gas,z

ventulfisflow passageway 48', even 4.at very low rates lof gasi-flowrthere'is :caused tofbe asuieientdrop-instatic p'ssure. 1in '1 throat y50".A to causelI feeding ;ofI lubricant toyk the gas passing therethrough, and thus the lubricatori` herein 'disclosed is;.operative to lsupply lubricant, not only at-frnorma'lflow rates ofgas, but also atvery low ow rates; of gas...

Whiley Athe `lubricators vhereinabovev described include la scavenging function, it should'` ber understood that the scavenging function `is :not dictatedby ineiciency of the lubricatorb'ut, rather, lservesthe need where suchscavenging function'is required.; Actually, thezlubricators of lthe type-hereinabove described have an unusually high efficiencyfin the dispensation of lubricant into the ilow of compressed' air passing therethrough,as compared with otherexst-ing lubricators. VThe only time that the scavengi ingrfunction becomes of real measurable value is where the-rate of feed of lubricantis excessive for the amount of' air flowing, and this excesscan'be materially reduced byadjustment of the feed executed by an operator. However,` thescavenging means does provide a safeguardy againstexcessive lubricantfeeding, through failure of an operator to correctly regulate the lubricant flow when putting `the device into operation. Tests have indicated thatygexceptfor careless adjustment, the lubricators of the Vtype hereinabove described will operate to use almost 100% of the dispensed lubricant.

Inthe modified form of ,lubricator shown in Figure 8, itwill be seen that a number of the parts are similar to the-parts `shown in Figure 6. The parts in Figure 8 which are :similar to those shown in Figure 6 have retained the same reference numbers as in Figure 6. In the form shown'in Figure 8, the `venturi flow passageway 48a is somewhat modified inthatthe upstream converging sectionhas been eliminated. To compensate for eliminatingfthe-upstream converging `section of the venturi, ther throat section 50a is elongated relative to the throat section of the venturi shown in Figure 6.

In addition to the foregoing, there is provided a downwardly extending flow passageway 200 which opens to the venturi flow passageway 48a at a point upstream of the throatr section 50a. The said downwardly extending flow'passageway 200 serves, in part, the same purpose asgas passageway 134 shown in Figure 6 and communicat es with; the gas space A152l that is formed above the baffle ,plate-130, which` space 152 communicates through upright'gas passageway 154v withl the venturi flow passageway 48a at apoint downstream. of the throat 50a thereof.

Aftapered valvernember 13811 is provided for sealing against the valve seat 136:1 formed in `the head member of the-lubricator. The bale 130 is provided with a gasket 131 on the upper side thereof, and a speed nut, or gripping nut, 133 is provided on the under sideof the baiilevplate 130. for gripping the periphery of the dip tube 72a.

In addition to the foregoing modifications, the head of the lubricator isv shaped and formed to provide a by-pass passageway 202 which communicates, at one end, with the` flow passageway 200 at a point .upstream of the valve seat 136:1, and, at the other end, communicates with an upright gas passageway 204 and then through apertures Z06cinto` the gas vspacel?. which is located above the upper level of the lubricant within the reservoir 124. The foregoing arrangement is such that the incoming gas pressure, from ,upstream the throat Stia oit the venturi passageway, is communicated, by the aforesaid gas-passageway means, to the interior of the gas space 13?.4

regardless of whether or not the valve member 1.3351

is'fse'at'ed. This providesl for 'the imposing of the total' gas' inlet `pressure onto the lubricant withinthelubricantreservoir: With this arrangement the oil' or lubricant withinfthe reservoir-124 can be vraised to a much greater heighti'and, therefore, a much deeper reservoir y124i mayy be:sused;..whicha1ends itselfto: high capacity oil feeding;

n required.

Inwthis'-lastmodiiied:form it will be seen thatthe` scavenging of oil from the downstream portion of the venturi-flow passageway/*48a is Vnot a requisites-function andffaccordingly the scavenging passageway between the' venturi flow passageway and the lubricant reservoir-.has .l been eliminated. However, the baffle 66a, which is positioned within the downstream flow portion of the venturi flow passageway 48a,- may or may not -be used, depending, on-thef-particularapplication. When used, the bale 66a will `still operate toseparate-out of the gas stream thosev f large droplets `ofrlubricant which are not desired tobej passed. p

Thus it will be seen that-there is provided an iinproved,.lubricatorwhich `delivers a fog of lubricant ofkl more uniform lubricant particle-size, and which operates l to-scavenge and recover larger size lubricantparticles', and whichV is operative to'ldeliver `a lubricant flow over:V alarge range of gas flow rates including very low gas flow rates.:

`While theinstantinvention has been described fork use-asia gas `line lubricator, `and more particularly as.4 an air line lubricator, itfwill be understood that this ini vention may also be used ywhereany air or gas stream is requiredto ,f entrain and -carryl some liquid suspension in a mist form.'A Therefore,-as used herein and in the claims i hereof, the term lubricator is intended to refer to anyf device for entraining any liquid in mist form in a flowing stream of gas or'airand the ter-m lubricant refers'to the lliquid so entrained. p

Changes may be made in the :construction and arrangement of parts of my device without departing from thereal spirit-and purpose of my invention, and it is myj intention to ycovenbywmy claims any modified forms of structure or use offmec'hanicaly equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.l

I claimfas my invention: l

l. A lubricator comprising, in combinatioma lubricant.l reservoir, a head for thereservoir, means vin said head deiininggasinlet and outlet connections, meansr in said, head definingV a venturi` flow passageway forgas` be tween `said inlet and outlet connections, means defining` a conduit-for lubricant from said` lubricant reservoir to the throat of the venturiv flow passageway at which'. throat the-velocity of gas passingthrough said flow pars-`V sageway is a maximum, gas-passageway means communieating with the venturi flow passageway downstream of the throat thereof and lcommunicating the gas in the venturi passageway tothe lubricant reservoir, to effect feeding -of lubricant through Athe conduit therefor fromy the reservoir to the throat of the venturi ow passageway,

and vannular abutment means disposed in said venturiA flow passageway downstreamv of the Venturi throat defining a constricted owpassageway disposed centrally and coaxially of said venturi flow passageway and throughl which lubricant carrying gas iscaused to ow at locallyf increased velocity, but lower than the gas velocity in said venturithroat, fandrsaid annular abutment means intercepting,land separating fromthe passing gas, a portionn of the lubricant carried by said gas. y

2J A lubricator comprising, in combination, a lubricant reservoir, Va head for the reservoir, means in said head defining gas inlet and outlet'connections,means in said head defining a venturi flow passageway for gas between said inlet 'and outlet connections, means defining a conduit for Ylubricant from? said lubricant reservoir to the? throat of theventuri flow passageway at which throat thev velocity of'gas ypassing through said flow passageway is'- a maximum, lgas-passageway means communicating withr: the venturi: flow .passageway downstream of4 the VVthroats thereof and .communicating thegas'in the venturi-passages,

way to the lubricant reservoir, to effect feeding of lubri-` l intercepting, and separating from the passing gas, a portion of the lubricant carried by the gas, and drain means for returning said lubricant separated from the gas to the lubricant reservoir, said Idrain means including an elongated inclined drain passageway communicating at its upper end thereof with the venturi iiow passageway at a point downstream of the constriction therein, and the lower end olf said upright drain passageway communieating with said gas-passageway means which communicates the venturi tiow passageway to the lubricant reservoir. t

V3. A lubricator comprising, in combination, arlubricantreservoir, a head for the reservoir, means in said head defining gas inlet and outlet connections, means in `said head defining 1a venturi iiow passageway for gas between said inlet and outlet connections, means defining a conduit for lubricant from said lubricant reservoir to the throat of the venturi flow passageway at which throat the velocity of gas passing through said flow passageway is a maximum, gas-passageway means communicating with the venturi flow passageway downstream of the throat thereof and communicating the gas in the venturi passageway to the lubricant reservoir, to eiect feeding of lubricant through the conduit therefor from the reservoir to the throat of the venturi iiow passageway, annular abutment means downstream of the venturi throat for intercepting, and separating from the passing gas, a portion df the lubricant carried by said gas, and a flange on said abutment means extending upstream thereof for assisting to direct the scavenging flow of the intercepted lubricant. 4. In a lubricator of the character described; a lubricatorhead defining therein a venturi flow passageway for a fiow of compressed gas, said venturi flow passageway having a throat through which gas flows vat its maximum velocity` along said fiow passageway;` a reservoir for lubricant; means connecting `said reservoir to said head; 4a gas-passageway connecting the Venturi ow passageway, downstream of the throat thereof, to said lubricant reservoir; means for dispensing lubricant from said lubricant reservoir into the throat of said Venturi flow passageway; a restriction in said venturi flow pas-` sageway downstream ofthe throat of said venturi passageway` for intercepting, and separating from the passinggas, a portionof the lubricant carried by the gas; and means in said lubricator head defining a by-pass passageway for by-passinga portion of the compressed gas which enters the lubricator head from a point upstream the throat of the venturi iiow passageway to a point `downstream of said lubricant intercepting restriction` in the flow passageway. i

`5.- In a lubricator of the character described; a lubricator head defining therein a venturi flowpassageway forma ow of compressed Igas, said venturi flow passage- Wayt having a throat through which gas flows at its maximutn velocity along said liow passageway; a reservoir for` lubricant; `means connecting said reservoir to said head; a gas-passageway connecting the venturi flow passageway, downstream of the throat thereof, to said lubricant reservoir; means `for dispensing lubricant from said lubricant reservoir into the throat of said venturi ow passageway; a restriction in said venturi flow passageway downstream of the throat of said venturi passageway for intercepting, and separating from the passing-ages, a portion `of the lubricant carried by the gas;

means in said lubricator head defining a by-pass passageway forby-passing a portion of the compressed gas which enters the lubricator `head 'from a point upstream the throat of the venturi liow passageway to a point downstream of said lubricant intercepting restriction in theflow passageway; and normally closed valve means in reservoir, a head connected to said reservoir, means in said head defining gas inlet and outlet connections, means in said head defining a venturi flow passageway between said inlet and outlet connections, the throat of said venturi being smaller than that required to pass the maximum gas carrying capacities of the inlet and outlet connections, and means in said head defining a by-pass passageway for by-passing a portion of the gas, passing through the head between said inlet and outlet connections, around the throat of said venturi, for supplying additional ygas when the demand for 1gas at the outlet connection exceeds the amount that may be passed by the venturis throat.

7. A lubricator comprising, in combination, a lubricant reservoir, a head connected to said reservoir, means in saidhead defining gas inlet and outlet connections, means in said head defining a venturi flow passageway between said inlet and outlet connections, fthe throat of saidventuri being smaller than that required to pass the maximum gas carrying capacities of the inlet and outlet connections, means in said head defining a. by-pass passageway for by-passing a portion of the gas, passing through the head between said inlet and o/utlet connections, around the throat of said venturi, for supplying additional gas when the demand for gas at the outlet connection exceeds the amount that may be passed by the venturis throat, and normally closed valve means in said by-pass passageway being operative to open when the demand for `gas at the outlet connection exceeds a predetermined amount.

8; A lubricator comprising, in combination, a lubricant reservoir, a head connected to said reservoir, `means in said head defining gas inlet and outlet connections, means in said head defining a venturi flow passageway between said inlet and outlet connections, the throat of said venturi being smaller than that required to pass the maximum gas carrying capacities of the inlet and outlet connections, a baffle positioned across said lubricant res ervoirp'and spaced above the maximum level of lubricant in said reservoir, thereby defining a gas space below the ,baffle and above the lubricant in the reservoir, gas passageway means communicating the venturi flow passage-1 way, downstream of its throat, with said gas space between Vthe baffle and the lubricant, lubricant` conduit means for delivering lubricant from the reservoir to the throat of the venturi flow passageway, and means in# cludingsaid baffle defining a by-pass passageway between saidinlet and outlet connections, and around the throat of said venturi, for supplying additional gas whenthe demand for gas at the outlet connection exceeds a predetermined amount.

9.' A lubricator comprising, in combination, a lubricant reservoir, a head connected to said reservoir, means in said head defining .gas inlet and outlet connections, means in said head defining a venturi flow passageway f between said inlet and outlet connections, the throat of` said venturibeing smaller than that required to pass the maximum gas carrying capacities of the inlet-and outlet connections, a bafiie positioned across said lubricant reservoir and spaced above the maximum level of lubricant in said reservoir, thereby defining a gas space` below the bafiie and above the lubricant in the reservoir,l

gas-passageway means communicating th-e venturi flow passageway, downstream of its throat, with said gas space between the baie and the lubricant, lubricant conduitf means, including an upright tube passing upwardly" nular Valvemember mounted on said upright, tube for-- concentric movement with respect thereto, said tube cooperating to :guide the movement of said valve member, andsaid valve member being operative to normally closef said y.by-pass passageway.

10. A .lubricator comprising, in combination, a lubriV-l cantreservoir, a head connected to said reservoir, means l in lsaid head defining gas inlet and outlet connections,

means in ysaid head defining a venturi flow passageway` betweenl said inlet and outlet connections, the throat of n said-venturi being smaller than that required to pass the maximum lgas carrying capacities of the. inlet and outlet connections, a bafiie positioned across said lubricant reservoir and spaced above the maximum level of lubricant in said reservoir, thereby defining a gas space below the baffle and above the lubricant in the reservoir,

gas passageway means communicating the venturi fiow passageway, downstream of its throat, with said' gas spaceV between the baffle and the lubricant, lubricant conduit means, including an upright tube passing upwardly through and above said bafiie, for delivering lubricant from the reservoir into the throat of the venturi flow passageway, means including said batiie defining a by-pass gas flow passageway between said inlet and out-A let connections, means including said upright tube de-l fining an annular segment of said by-pass passageway, an annular valve member mounted on saidy upright tube;

for concentric movement with respect thereto, said tube cooperating to guide movement of said valve member, a coil spring between said bafiie and valve member -normally biasing said valve member to a position to close said annular segment of said by-pass passageway, and said biased valve member being responsive to a preselected pressure difierence to open to permit flowof gas through said by-pass passageway.

ll. A lubricator comprising, in combination, a 1ubri, cant reservoir, a head connected to said reservoir, means in said head defining gas inlet and outlet connections,

means in said head defining a venturi flow passageway.

between said inlet and outlet connections, the throat of said venturi being smaller than that required to pass the maximum gas Lcarrying capacities of the inlet'and outlet connections, said venturi throat being the point at which maximum gas velocity is attained in said venturi flow passageway, means in said head defining a by-pass. passageway for by-passing a portion of the gas, passing,

through the head between said inlet and outlet connections, around the throat of said venturi, for supplying additional gas when the demand for gas atfthe outlet connection exceeds a predetermined amount, anda re-. striction in said venturi flow passageway downstrearnof. the throat thereof:` defining a constricted flow passagewaydisposed centrally and coaxially of said venturi flowpas-y sageway and through which `lubricant carrying gas fis caused to-flow at locally increased velocity, but lower. than the gas velocity in said venturi throat, and said an-.

nular abutment means intercepting, and separating from.

passing gas, a portion of the lubricant carried by saidl gas;

l2. Av lubricator comprising, in combination, alubri-y cantV reservoir, a head connected to said reservoir, means` insaid head defining gas inlet and outletconnections,

flowpassageway, means in said head defining abyfpass,r

through the head between said inlet and outlet conne tions, around the throat of said venturi,V for supplymgi;

connectionl exceeds a predetermined amount, a restric;` tion in said venturi flow passageway downstream of throat thereof defining a constricted ow passageway disposed centrally and coaxially of said venturi flow passageway and through which lubricant carrying gas-isf caused to ow at locally increased velocity, but lower;4 than the Igas velocity in said venturi throat, and saidf' annular abutment means intercepting, and separatingg from the flowing gas, a portion of the lubricant carried if' by said gas, and drain means for scavenging` the lubricant separated from the gas by the restrictionto the; lubricant reservoir.

13. In a lubricator of the character described; means; defining a venturi flow passageway for a flow of comeV` wlpressed gas; a reservoir for lubricant; gas-passageway.

means connecting the venturi flow passageway, upstream of the throat thereof, to said lubricant reservoir to pressurize the lubricant in said reservoir; means for dispens-v ing lubricant from said lubricant reservoir into the throatf' -of said venturi ow passageway at which point the gas velocity is the maximum attained in said venturi flowfi` passageway; and a restriction in said venturi ow passageway, downstream of the throat of the venturi flow -t passageway, defining a constricted flow passagewaydis-f posed centrally and coaxially of said venturi flow pas-,tv sageway and through which lubricant carrying gas is.` caused toflow at locally increased velocity, but lower;v than the gas velocity in said venturi throat, and said-.- annular abutment means intercepting, and separating-1, lfrom the passing gas, a portion of the lubricant carriedgy by the gas.

14. A lubricator comprising, in combination, a lubrif cant reservoir, a head connected to said reservoir, means"-I in said head defining gas inlet and outlet connection means in said head defining a venturi flow passageway,h between said inlet and outlet connections, the throat of said venturi being smaller than that required to passtthe maximum `gas carrying capacities of the inlet andfoutletv connections, a baffle positioned across said lubricant res-:fy

` ervoir and spaced above the maximum level of lubricant;

in said reservoir, thereby defining a gas space below. the` baffle and above the lubricant in the reservoir,Y gas pas-.1. sageway means communicating the venturi flow passagel way, upstream of its throat, with said Igas space between; the batiie and the lubricant, lubricant conduit means for: delivering lubricant from the reservoir to the throat ofV the venturi flow passageway, and means including said: bafile defining a by-pass passageway between said inlet',- and outlet connections, and around the throat ofsaid A venturi, for supplying additional gas when the demand:

for -gas at the outlet connection exceeds a predetermined@l amount. f v

15. A lubricator comprising, in combination, a lubriz cant reservoir, a head connected to said reservoir,` meansij in said head defining gas inlet and outlet connectionsg; means in said head defining a venturi flow passageway between said inlet and outlet connections, gas passage` way means connecting the venturi flow passageway .at a: point upstream of its throat to said lubricant reservoiny to pressurize the lubricant in said reservoir, the throat 'ofsaidventuri being smaller than that required to' pass` the maximum `gas carrying capacities of the inlet andi outlet connections, said venturi throat beingthe point: atwhich maximum gas velocity is attained in said ven-f turi flow passageway, means in said head defininga by-i pass passageway for by-passing a portion of the gan-.passaiirig through the head between said inlet and outlet dcorr-L- nections, around the throat of said venturi, for supplying; additional gas when the demand for gas at the outlet'i connection exceeds a predetermined amount, and a restriction in said venturi ow passageway downstream of the throat thereof defining a constricted flow passageway disposed centrally and coaxially of said venturi 110W passageway and through which lubricant carrying gas is caused to flow at locally increased velocity, but lower than the igas velocity in said venturi throat, and said annular abutment means intercepting, and separating from passing gas, a portion of the lubricant carried by said gas.

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain July 4, 1951 

